Backin late 2001, Newcastle United were riding high in the Premier League.

Bobby Robson was manager at the time, of course, and Alan Shearer was deadly in the number 9 shirt.

United faced a daunting trip to Arsenal’s old Highbury stadium, knowing that a win would lift them to the top of the league.

The problem was the Magpies’ London hoodoo.

They hadn’t won in the capital for 28 matches.

In one of our more unusual stories from over the years, the Chronicle approached the famous spoon-bending psychic Uri Geller, to see if he could help lift the jinx.

Author and paranormal expert, Geller, was born in Israel in December, 1946.

The former paratrooper first entered the public arena as a model in the 1960s, but he rose to fame as a psychic in the 70s and shocked the world with his apparent ability to bend, break and soften metal and other solids using the power of his mind, most notably household cutlery such as spoons – something he’d been able to do since the age of five.

In 2001, the scene was set for Geller to weave his spell and come to United’s aid.

During a dramatic game which the Magpies would eventually win 3-1, Uri could be running around the London stadium a “magic” 11 times willing United on to victory.

Afterwards, shell-shocked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he felt like “there was a sorcerer at work” on the pitch that night.

After the game, Geller told the Chronicle: “I put my heart into this. This is incredible. I knew the team would win. I am so happy for everyone who supports them. It was exactly what I said.”

Only a few weeks later, in early January 2002, the mystic was in Newcastle for the first time in 30 years as he opened a national tour at the Opera House on Westgate Road.

Among the audience were Newcastle United supporters who cheered his arrival on stage.

Again he spoke to the Chronicle, saying: “In the days after the match, I had so many e-mails from Newcastle fans with great messages telling me they had made me an honorary Geordie.

“I can honestly say Tyneside hasn’t changed a lot. I have never performed here before and to start my tour in such a great place is brilliant.

“The people here are definitely warm people, but there’s also an energy and a charm about them.”

He added: “It was the team work between the Chronicle readers and me targeting their powers that tipped the balance against the Gunners.”

In the years since the Arsenal game, Uri Geller has slightly re-branded himself.

The 67-year-old Geller used to call his abilities “psychic” but now prefers to refer to himself as a “mystifier” and entertainer.

Maybe we should get him back on board again to help end Newcastle United’s 59-year domestic trophy drought!